Service opportunities for every season

Although the holidays have ended, a new season of service has just begun. Below are some ways to make a difference this week and all year round.

The Office of Student Development is hoping to collect between 700 and 800 handmade valentines to distribute to senior citizens in local nursing homes. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to create their own cards and drop them off at the Office of Student Development in Morewood Gardens by Friday, February 9. Volunteers are also needed to distribute the cards Friday, February 9, through Sunday, February 11, at local nursing homes.

Tomorrow, the American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive in Rangos Hall in the University Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha and the Office of Student Development. No appointments are needed and walk-ins are welcome. More information can be found at [SLANT12]www.redcrosslife.org[SLANT12].

On Friday, the sisters of Delta Delta Delta will be hosting the Second Annual Twister Tournament. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for Cancer Research. The tournament will be held in Rangos from 9 to 11 p.m.

“People should support the cause because St. Jude is simply an amazing organization.... They help to save the lives of thousands of children and are leading the way in finding a cure for childhood cancer,” said sophomore psychology major Jess Jankowitsch, the philanthropic chair of Delta Delta Delta and coordinator of the event.

The East End Youth Projects, a student-run organization that goes to local schools to tutor children, is seeking new volunteers to visit children once a week for about two hours. Currently, they are involved in Sterrett Classical Academy’s after-school program ,helping students with mathematics. Transportation is provided.

“I am able to have an impact on the students and see them improve every week,” said junior biology major Samantha Spath, president of East End. “I know know that our help is really appreciated at the school.”

This semester, East End is hoping to start up a pen-pal program in which correspondence between the children and CMU students is brought back and forth from campus to the school every two weeks. Those wishing to get involved in either of East End’s programs are invited to e-mail Spath at [SLANT12]sspath@[SLANT12] or at [SLANT12]east-end@[SLANT12].

Tutors are also needed to assist with the Girls Hope of Pittsburgh, a group of local underprivileged elementary school students. The girls are in need of tutors as well as mentors who would be interested in babysitting, having dinner, or driving the girls to appointments and events. For more information, contact Kristen Wolford, the head of the organization, at [SLANT12]kwolford@bhgh.org[SLANT12].

The Office of Student Development organizes Service Saturdays two or three times a month that offer the opportunity for Carnegie Mellon students to join together and perform service in the community. The events have already been planned for February and March. Those who are interested can contact Kristy Kang at [SLANT12]sinhyek@[SLANT12].

In addition, Habitat for Humanity offers service trips over winter and spring breaks to communities throughout the United States. Over winter break, a group of students traveled to Washington, D.C. The trip planned for spring break will be to Lee County, Florida, where the group will be building houses for underprivileged families in the area. Activities will include framing walls and standing them up and installing vinyl siding and roofing. There are about 20 spots available. For more information, contact Amanda Yue at [SLANT12]ayue@[SLANT12].

“There is always service going on,” said M. Shernell Smith, coordinator of Student Development, “We would love for students to join our d-list by e-mailing [SLANT12]cmu-service@[SLANT12] or simply coming into our office to visit us and talk about what they want to do.”